‘I played with Woods, McIlroy and Scheffler – there’s one difference’ | Golf | Sport
A PGA Tour star claimed Tiger Woods is a different prospect entirely to Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler (Image: Getty)
Tiger Woods’ pivotal influence in growing the sport of golf has left him incomparable to Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, according to PGA Tour star Charley Hoffman. Regarded by many as the biggest superstar in the game’s history, Woods has been credited with bringing a new audience to the sport and advancing its popularity across the globe.
Hoffman, 49, was asked how the 15-time major champion compares to the current world No. 1 and No. 2. The American insisted Woods captured the public’s imagination like no other – something McIlroy and Scheffler lack the ability to do. Speaking on the We Need a Fourth podcast, he said: “There’s no one that compares to what Tiger did for the game of golf.
“When Tiger came out, they came out in droves from the first shot if it was at 7 in the morning until he was done. And then they would sort of go away. Everybody came out to watch Tiger.
“They walked the golf course, walked all 18 holes. Golf has gotten to the point where it’s more of a hospitality thing. People come to the golf tournament, they follow Scottie or Rory for a couple of holes, but then they go in the corporate tent and hang out, entertain maybe clients or friends.
“It’s a little bit of a different field nowadays. A lot of the stadium effects came off the WM Phoenix Open with the 16th hole, a lot of events tried to emulate that and entertain that way. But when Tiger was in his primetime heyday, he just had people following him on every shot, 10 deep, and it was crazy to watch from other fairways.”
Woods was described as incomparable when it came to growing the game of golf (Image: Getty)
Hoffman said Woods, 50, was virtually unbeatable in his heyday and his dominance on the tour transcended the sport. He explained: “I didn’t play with him a ton because I think my first three years on tour, I kept my card, played great and never beat him. The guy, no one could beat him. Not in any tournament I played in for three years I think.
“It could have been longer than that. And the demographic he brought, he brought the normal sports fan into golf, which was great. Now, Scottie and Rory, they’re not bringing anyone that wasn’t really already watching to the game of golf like Tiger did.” Hoffman opened up about his experience playing Tiger during their college days, admitting it was “intimidating” matching up against him.
The California-born golfer added: “You’re always happy [being paired with him] because you want to compare yourself against the best in the world. And he was very easy to play with. Very cordial, good guy. Also I’ve known Tiger for a long time.
“He may not have known me as much, but he grew up in Cypress, California. I was down here in Poway, Southern California. We competed irregularly against each other in junior golf and amateur events in college.
“First time I played on tour with him was at Memorial, and I shot like 40 on the front nine and then I shot like 32 on the back nine after I got the jitters out. It was intimidating to play with him, but it was a great experience.”
Having played a reduced schedule in recent years due to injuries, Woods is currently taking a break from golf after he was involved in a car crash that resulted in his vehicle flipping over last month. The golf icon pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence and subsequently announced his intention to attend a rehabilitation facility.
